A Chosen Path: The Ceramic Art of Karen Karnes

KARNES Flower-Container 1997
Karen Karnes, Flower Container, 1997. 
Glazed stoneware, woodfired, 9 3/4 x 9 1/2 x 9 1/2 in. 
Collection of Abel Weinrib.

JUNE 23 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

For more than 60 years, Karen Karnes has been at the forefront of the studio-pottery movement. Her artistic output is recognized for its understated, quietly poetic surfaces, and sublime biomorphic forms. From her dramatic salt-glazed pottery of the 1960s and ’70s to her most recent sculptural work, Karnes consistently has challenged herself and transformed expectations of the vessel. She remains one of the medium’s most influential working makers and a mentor to several generations of studio potters. “A Chosen Path: The Ceramic Art of Karen Karnes,” her first major retrospective, will highlight 69 masterworks from this pioneering artist. The exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue edited by ceramist Mark Shapiro and ceramics historian Garth Clark.

A Chosen Path: The Ceramic Art of Karen Karnes is supported in part by a grant from The Windgate Charitable Trust Foundation.

Exhibition-related programs: Open Docent Colloquium: Peter Held on Karen Karnes
Sat, June 23, 2012 – 10:30 AM

216 O Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
916.808.7000
[email protected]
www.crockerartmuseum.org

Visiting Master Artist Workshops

Brenda McMahon – THE ART OF SAGGAR FIRING
February 5-6, 2011
Cost: $255.00 Register Now

Saggar Firing is an alluring process where vessels are fumed
in organic materials and minerals to create dynamic and
mystical blushes on the vessel surface without the use of glazes.
McMahon has been using this firing method for 17 years and
her work has a unique saggar signature like no other.
Participants will bring 2 to 6 small vessels or sculptures
for the firing, as well as clay saggars to house those pieces.
McMahon will cover form, surface, burnishing, terra siggalatta
and saggar firing in this chock full weekend. Read Brenda McMahon’s biography

Beth Cavener Stichter – DOWN TO THE SKIN
February 7-11, 2011
Cost: $1,185.00 Register Now

Beth Cavener Stichter will be teaming up with fellow sculptor
(and mother), Nan Jacobsohn to offer an intense hands-on workshop
in capturing gesture and expression through the animal and human
form in large-scale clay sculptures. Through demonstrations and slide
presentations, Cavener Sticher’s hand-building methods, such as
maquettes, armature building, hollowing, and surface design and
finish will be covered. Feeling a bit intimidated? Not to worry.
Nan Cavener Jacobsohn can guide you through some of the same
processes on an introductory level using simplified armatures that
will allow you to do many of the poses and ideas that have eluded you
in the past. This Mother –Daughter team uses similar techniques,
but offer a variety of solutions to the challenges of creating and finishing sculpture. Read Beth Cavener Stichter’s biography

Mark Shapiro – MAKING IT WORK, MAKING IT BEAUTIFUL
February 26-27, 2011
Cost: $440.00 Register Now

During this workshop the focus will be on functional pots;
working on technique to achieve better function and a more
expressive personal aesthetic. Demos will include: throwing
and trimming for the right clay wall; cups, handles and lids,
and feet; pouring pots; and surface decorating with marking on wax. Read Mark Shapiro’s biography

Esther Shimazu – ANIMATED FIGURE: TEETH TO TOENAILS
March 25-27, 2011
Cost: $480.00 Register Now

In this figure building workshop particular attention will be
paid to the most detailed parts: heads, hands and feet. Shimazu
will demonstrate how she builds animated pottery figures: from
teeth and toenails, to getting just the right loopy smile, as she
wrestles with clay to achieve something with a life of its own.
It is intense but fun. Students should have prior experience with clay and should understand how a teapot is made. Read Esther Shimazu’s biography

armory art center,
1700 parker avenue w.p.b.,
fl 33401
(561) 832-1776
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